Upgrading the Audiosystem in my X5, help

[vierpunktachtis]

My X needs new speakers and i was just wondering what the dimensions of the speakers are. I read somewhere that they are 6.5" in the doors, but at another page it says 5.25"?

Also, what setup would you guys recommend? I think i will keep the original Sub in the trunk for now, but will replace it later on... Will the original Amp do any good with new speakers?

I do not have the navigationsystem, will the headunit do?

[Blade69]

If all you're doing is upgrading the speakers, you'll be wasting your money. I have yet to hear of a stock head unit and amp pushing new speakers to their potential. You'll here "some" improvement, but it'll start distorting more when you try to turn it up loud. You'd actually be better going with an amp first. BUT, you can only push stock speakers so far. Unless you're an stickler, the head unit will be okay. Except you won't be able to do any fine tuning. For that you will need to add a crossover/eq between the head unit and the amp. At least a 10 band. Then you have the amp. Best bang for the buck (and ease on installation) get a 5-channel amp. If you upgrade the speaker, get components. Any well-known speakers will do. You can leave the sub but don't expect too much. You can either just replace the speakers inside the enclosure, or have one made. Basically it all depends on your wallet. You don't have to spend $2k on a better than stock system. Especially since you don't have Nav, you may as well replace the head unit. Best thing to do is shop on Ebay. You can get everything you need for about 30-50% cheaper than at the store. Then go to a shop that will install it for you. Shop around though. Some will charge you through the nose because you didn't buy it through them. But it's still cheaper. Good luck. I have Nav so I haven't quite decided on if I want to lose some of the other features that comes with it besides audio.

[Phr3d]

Alternative reply, if you have the business audio, there is nothing going on in the final amp, and I highly recommend doing a complete speaker replacement, as they make the most bang for your buck, amps without the controls Blade69 mentioned will not solve the dead atmosphere of an X interior, and WITH the controls, you need a decent shop to flatten the response curve. That cannot be done if the tweeters are dull-masters like BMW chooses to include.

If your wallet can stand it, the BSW replacement system is well reviewed at BMWCCA, is fairly easy to self-install and is guaranteed. Add hi-pass caps and you're done.

Good luck! (it is my 'frosting' mod, after all mech mods have been completed, prolly for this summer).